Luna smiled, entered the elevator, and headed toward the president’s office. Reaching the door, she heard a voice from inside: “Alana, is that you?”
The two women froze, staring at Kevin in astonishment. He had emerged from the office to greet them.
Luna reacted first. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Stewart. I’m Alana—Luna Smith, owner of L.Moon.”
While shaking Luna’s hand, Kevin’s gaze fixed on Abigail. “She is…”
“My assistant,” Luna explained quickly.
Kevin almost laughed. Turning to someone inside, he teased, “Sean, is your family going bankrupt?”
Chapter 9: Is Your Family Going Bankrupt?
Abigail followed Kevin’s gaze and saw a familiar figure—Sean—sitting on the couch, his back to the door. Even in silhouette, she recognized him. Annoyed, she thought, Opponents always meet. I can’t believe I’m seeing him here after missing him at City Hall this morning.
Sean, too, looked at her with suspicion.
Kevin, oblivious, smiled and said, “Miss Smith, I’ve been waiting. Please come in.”
Abigail looked away and followed Luna, who was playing the part of an assistant. The East Joy Talent and L.Moon cooperation was almost finalized; only Kevin’s decision remained.
Chapter 9: Is Your Family Going Bankrupt?
Though Luna wasn't the real Alana, she knew Alana's design concepts and strengths intimately. She wasn't afraid of subtle questioning.
Soon, it was time to sign the contract. Unexpectedly, Kevin pushed it aside. “Miss Smith,” he said with a smile, “no rush. A friend would like you to design a dress for him. This isn’t part of the contract, so you can set the price. It needs to be completed before our company’s fashion gala next month.”
Only Sean was present besides Kevin and the L.Moon team. Luna shot Kevin a faint smile, inwardly cursing him while replying politely, “Mr. Stewart, my husband recently passed away. I’m afraid I can’t design a dress that would satisfy your friend’s needs. I don’t want to spoil the gala or your friendship.”
She stood, picked up the contract, and said, “Since you need time, I’ll take this. We have other business to attend to. We’ll be leaving.”
“Wait!” Kevin protested. “I was just suggesting it! I didn’t say I wouldn’t sign!”
But the women left without looking back. Realizing the famous Alana had departed, Kevin looked suspiciously at Sean. “Abigail’s Alana’s assistant. Why didn’t you ask her for help? Why go through me?” he mumbled. “Did they have a fight? When her car hit mine, her eyes lit up when I mentioned you.”
Lit up, Sean thought, because of money, not love.
Sean gave Kevin a cold look. “Your father was right not to name you the successor of the Stewarts. You’ll lose everything.” He grabbed his coat and left.
Chapter 9: Is Your Family Going Bankrupt?
Outside, Abigail sneezed and speculated that the men were criticizing her. Luna removed her sunglasses. “That good-for-nothing Graham! He hasn’t divorced you, yet he does this?! Divorce him! Cut ties with the scoundrel!”
Luna, always hot-tempered, continued, “He wants his wife to design a dress for his mistress?! She’s not worthy of your designs!” She vented her frustration at losing the East Joy Talent deal on Sean.
Abigail merely smiled bitterly. Divorcing Sean was her priority.
“We need to leave,” Abigail said rationally. “Otherwise, Kevin will chase us for car repair money. And why lower ourselves to his level?”
Sean, following them, overheard this. His face darkened. She used me as a decoy, then called me a lowlife?!
Unaware of his presence, Abigail and Luna got into the car. Luna started the engine and drove away.
“I got the invitation to East Joy Talent’s gala,” Luna said. “I’ll be there with you. If he bullies you, I’ll slap him and his mistress!”
The text has been cleaned up for grammar, punctuation, and stylistic consistency. All instances of asterisks (*) were removed, as it's unclear what they were intended to represent (likely obscuring profanity). Repeated chapter headers have been consolidated. The writing style remains consistent with the original, albeit improved.